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Your breakdown kit.
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baconsdozen



Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 1119
Location: Under the car.

PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 8:42 am    Post subject: Your breakdown kit. Reply with quote

What ever car I take out I normally throw the same tool box in the boot.Spanners,pliers,screwdrivers and that sort of thing and also a small box containing fuses,hose clips,bits of wire,some odd nuts and bolts and split pins etc. The latest thing to accompany this (although I keep it in my pocket) is my mobile phone with a Range Rover and Rover 75 workshop manual downloaded. I carry a can of oil and some water.
Maybe I'm a bit paranoid,although not to the same extent as a guy I knew who carried a pulley block and axle stands around in his car,but maybe it gives me a chance of getting home.
What do you think,what can't you drive away without?.
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peppiB



Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 686
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In the boot of my crab there is: 1 x trolley jack, 2 x axle stands, 1 socket set with Whitworth,AF and Metric sockets, 1 socket set with AF and metric sockets and spanners, tool kit with so many tools I can't actually lift the thing out (age has made me a tad weaker), oil, water, antifreeze, brake/clutch fluid, thinners, paint, top and bottom hoses, distributor caps, plug leads, points, rotor arms, sundry screwdriver and ratchet spanner sets, torque wrench, picnic table and 2 chairs! I have no other storage available. Can I readily locate stuff?? No chance! Embarassed
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7214
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 10:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used to carry my full kit of hand tools in any car I owned but that stopped when I had company cars. When I returned to owning my normal car I decided to pay for breakdown cover. Now in my modern I don't carry any tools other than a bluetooth ELM327 and a smart phone. In my SS I carry a lunch box sized toolbox of hand tools, a small tolley jack, a puncture repair kit and a spare inner tube. The fitted tool kit in the boot lid includes tyre levers.

The only time I have ever used breakdown cover was when the cam belt tensioning idler failed in my Citroen BX.

Peter
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 7103
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 11:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I usually carry a selection of hand tools in my old cars and also a few spares, various useful bits and pieces and a multimeter. As most breakdowns are either ignition failure or fuel starvation I tend to concentrate on those things. Obviously, I carry a jack and pump in case of puncture but I rely on my mobile phone and the AA for anything more serious. So far, so good.

The last time I called out the 4th emergency service it was when I had a breakdown in my Triumph GT6. The trouble with me is that I am not the most confident person; I tend to panic and can't think things through calmly and become acutely embarrassed. I suppose if we were all the same life would be a tad boring. Anyhow, after I had calmed down I worked out that the problem was nothing worse than the contact breaker points sticking open. By the time the "very nice man" turned up I had got the car running again! I apologised for wasting his time, but the AA man was really taken with the GT6 and paid me compliments on how nice a car was. Before long I was on my way wishing I had not been so stupid. Embarassed Rolling Eyes
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ukdave2002



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4236
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 11:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

One item I carry is a 0.2uF capacitor connected to fly leads with crocodile clips at each end, in the event of a failing condenser, this can simply be clipped to the coil and earth without any dismantling required.

If you do this yourself make sure the capacitor has a 400V rating.

Cheers

Dave
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lowdrag



Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 1600
Location: Le Mans

PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bottle jack, spare fuel pump, AF spanners, fan belt, screwdrivers, bulbs (but never needed one in 30 years!)spare oil filler cap (I've helped two people out over the years) in line brake switch (lousy Asiatic quality) oil pressure sender (same problem) all in and around the spare wheel in the well. Then there's the bacon, eggs sausage and baked beans of course Wink
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Bitumen Boy



Joined: 26 Jan 2012
Posts: 1763
Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire

PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 7:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ukdave2002 wrote:
One item I carry is a 0.2uF capacitor connected to fly leads with crocodile clips at each end, in the event of a failing condenser, this can simply be clipped to the coil and earth without any dismantling required.


That's a good idea, I'll have to add one like that to the kit. I carry ignition spares as a matter of routine but it's no joke messing about inside the diz on a wet night...

Apart from all likely ignition bits, in the Herald I carry a spare fanbelt, bulbs, a spark plug, some lengths of cable, some crimp connectors and a crimping tool, some self-amalgamating tape for repairing hoses, gaffa tape, string and an assortment of cable ties and soft iron or copper wire for tying things up with. Not to mention a spare wheel and tins or bottles of petrol, oil and water, a roll of blue tissue and a little washer fluid concentrate.

Tools are a scissor jack, wheelbrace and hubcap removal tool, big hammer, pliers, set of open ended spanners, one specific allen key, plug wrench and gapping tool, square brake spanner, a selection of screwdrivers and some feeler gauges. Also, one or two other little bits and pieces that have either never found a permanent home in the garage or are small and easily lost.

It all sounds a lot, and it does take up some space; but this is Wales - a land rich in deserted mountain roads and non-existent mobile phone signals. Being equipped to repair (or bodge) minor faults can make the difference between driving back to civilisation or taking a lengthy hike to find a landline phone, there aren't nearly as many phone boxes about as once there were.

In the modern, however, I just have a spare wheel, jack and brace, and accept the risk of a long walk. I can't think of anything on that I could fix at the roadside...
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Ronniej



Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 239
Location: Blackwood, by Lanark, Scotland

PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 8:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Members familiar with the Morris 8 will be aware it has a most useful tool box under the bonnet. I have this crammed with everything that could possibly go wrong. (The surest way to never need a spare part is to have it with you.) In addition to the usual ignition parts and sundry cables and clips I carry a spare coil and fuel pump.
A few years ago the Morris head gasket failed when on my way to an event in the Scottish Borders. I had all the tools I needed but the gasket was (conveniently) in the garage at home. I asked a relative to bring it to me along with a large container of water. I had the head off by the time he arrived and I had the car running again quite quickly and made it to the show albeit quite late.
I am told some folk include spare half shafts in their spares but maybe that is a bit extreme.
A few years ago when returning from York in the Singer Roadster the crankshaft broke when less than 20 miles from home. All the spares I had with me were no use for this and there was no alternative to coming home on a breakdown truck. There is just no way you can return in the small hours on a truck without the entire neighbourhood being aware of it!!!
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baconsdozen



Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 1119
Location: Under the car.

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had an old land rover that used to run its big ends every few days,I couldn't afford to have the crank ground so used to carry a set and got pretty quick at changing them sometimes in the firms car park during a lunch break. I don't think I'd be able to do the same on the range rover!.
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Dipster



Joined: 06 Jan 2015
Posts: 408
Location: UK, France and Portugal - unless I am travelling....

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 10:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It depends where I am.

I always carry a few hand tools, hydraulic jack and one axle stand ( I had it drummed in to me by my Dad never to rely on hydraulics!), a few jubilee clips and odds and sods of bits of wire, cable zip ties, connectors etc. Also a litre of engine oil and another litre of ATF. And a complete set of bulbs and fuses.

But when I am off in to the "wilds" (and this has been in South America, North Africa, West Africa and the Middle East) where I cannot expect to find a great deal of parts or support I take a little more.

The design of Land Rovers (Defender type) incorporated wheel boxes that intrude into the rear load space. Happily the size between them matched the dimensions of light steel trunks that the French make. I am able to easily fit two in that space. Their height pretty much matches that of the wheel boxes so I still have loads of room for other baggage.

One of those trunks has spares. Clutch, water pump, alternator, fuel pump, belts and hoses, gaskets, brake and clutch hydraulics spares, brake pads. And some heavy fencing wire. Plus all the associated fluids I might need. You get the picture. I carried pretty much everything that might fail that I could fix on the side of the road.

The other trunk had the tools to allow me to fit the spares. All the usual hand tools plus 2 axle stands and a second hydraulic jack. Also a lightweight (2 kilos!) 140 amp welding invertor with a power invertor to allow me to use it off the battery. I also had a battery drill and gas soldering kit. Plus a shovel, a high lift "farm" jack with straps and chains that would allow me to pull myself out of (muddy or sandy) trouble if necessary.

This sounds a lot. But the Defender can carry a great deal of weight and these kilos made little difference to it at all. I carry all this as we travel alone, in the past with our 3 youngsters. I wanted to do my best to ensure we would not be stranded......

We never have been. And we have some fabulous memories that we mull over occasionally.

Edit. I forgot to mention the 2 spare wheels (the fittings to carry these came on the Defender), 2 spare tubes and a" Tip Top" brand (the best there is in my opinion) truck sized puncture repair kit and tyre levers. And a small compressor that, admittedly could only just about manage to inflate them!
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baconsdozen



Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 1119
Location: Under the car.

PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 11:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dipster wrote:
It depends where I am.

I always carry a few hand tools, hydraulic jack and one axle stand ( I had it drummed in to me by my Dad never to rely on hydraulics!), a few jubilee clips and odds and sods of bits of wire, cable zip ties, connectors etc. Also a litre of engine oil and another litre of ATF. And a complete set of bulbs and fuses.

But when I am off in to the "wilds" (and this has been in South America, North Africa, West Africa and the Middle East) where I cannot expect to find a great deal of parts or support I take a little more.

The design of Land Rovers (Defender type) incorporated wheel boxes that intrude into the rear load space. Happily the size between them matched the dimensions of light steel trunks that the French make. I am able to easily fit two in that space. Their height pretty much matches that of the wheel boxes so I still have loads of room for other baggage.

One of those trunks has spares. Clutch, water pump, alternator, fuel pump, belts and hoses, gaskets, brake and clutch hydraulics spares, brake pads. And some heavy fencing wire. Plus all the associated fluids I might need. You get the picture. I carried pretty much everything that might fail that I could fix on the side of the road.

The other trunk had the tools to allow me to fit the spares. All the usual hand tools plus 2 axle stands and a second hydraulic jack. Also a lightweight (2 kilos!) 140 amp welding invertor with a power invertor to allow me to use it off the battery. I also had a battery drill and gas soldering kit. Plus a shovel, a high lift "farm" jack with straps and chains that would allow me to pull myself out of (muddy or sandy) trouble if necessary.

This sounds a lot. But the Defender can carry a great deal of weight and these kilos made little difference to it at all. I carry all this as we travel alone, in the past with our 3 youngsters. I wanted to do my best to ensure we would not be stranded......

We never have been. And we have some fabulous memories that we mull over occasionally.

Edit. I forgot to mention the 2 spare wheels (the fittings to carry these came on the Defender), 2 spare tubes and a" Tip Top" brand (the best there is in my opinion) truck sized puncture repair kit and tyre levers. And a small compressor that, admittedly could only just about manage to inflate them!

Wow! I think I'm suffering from Breakdown kit envy!.
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Mog



Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 663
Location: Sydney

PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A tin of wheel bearing grease, is a good thing to carry......
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emmerson



Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 1268
Location: South East Wales

PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In our "local" dog van (the Belingo) I carry very little, other than jack and wheelbrace, but as the Range Rover travels far and wide, I try to be self-sufficient with run-of-the-mill bits and pieces, but my car runs on LPG and I've recently fitted a BLOS carbureter and a magic box ignition module. Both these items are personally untested, so I've added the original bits which were removed to my kit, just in case!
I got caught out in France last year when a new plug lead failed, so I now carry them as well. Soon, I'll have to leave Herself at home!
Just as an aside, my pal's wife bought him one of those little tools for cutting the seat belt in an emergency. He keeps it in a drawer in the kitchen!
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